Part 20 (1/2)

”Ho!” said Bunny, thoughtfully, and then, giving his thigh a slap, ”They wouldn't do it, sir. I mean the skipper wouldn't.”

”Wouldn't do it?” cried Waller.

”Not him, sir. Why, he'd want five s.h.i.+llings at least before he'd stir.”

”Five s.h.i.+llings!” cried Waller contemptuously. ”Why, Bunny, I'd give him five pounds.”

”You would, sir? Then hooroar!”

”What do you mean by your hooroar?” cried Waller.

”Why, hooroar, of course, I've got the chap as would do it.”

”Where?” cried Waller.

”Why, I ar'n't got him in my pocket, lad, but there's my brother-in-law, him and his two mates, who've got a lugger of their own. Down yonder by Loo Creek, facing the Isle, you know. Five pounds! Why, they have to go and lay out their nets a many times to get five pounds. They'd do it--leastways, brother-in-law Jem would. Cherbourg, eh? Why, he's been there lots of times.”

”Splendid, Bunny?” cried Waller eagerly; and then, looking solemn at the thought of parting from his new friend: ”But could you trust him, Bunny?”

”Trust him, sir?”

”Yes. I mean, he wouldn't betray the poor fellow, would he?”

Bunny stared at Waller for a moment, and then moistened both his hands, gave them a rub together, and clenched them.

”He'd better!” he said. ”Why, I'd--I'd--I'd--half smash him! Nay, I wouldn't--I'd take his wife away. Sister Jen wouldn't stop along with a sneak. But bah! Fisherman Jem! You might trust him anywhere. He'd want stirring up to make him go, but me and the five pounds would make that all right.”

”Oh, I oughtn't to have doubted him, Bunny; he's your brother-in-law; that's enough for me. Then, as soon as the soldiers are gone--I don't want to, and I suppose I oughtn't to--but we will get him down to the lugger and send him off home to come to his senses.”

”Ah!” cried Bunny, ”and you tell him, Master Waller, to stop there, for it ar'n't honest to come here trying to steal the King's crown.”

”No,” said Waller, laughing; ”of course not, Bunny. Now, look here, you keep a sharp look-out without seeming to be watching the soldiers and Tony Gusset, and if there's anything wrong you come and tell me.”

”Right, Master Waller! That's so; and look here, sir. When we get him down to the creek and take him aboard he'd better be dressed up a bit so as people shan't take no notice of him. You make him put on some of your oldest clothes, and keep him three or four days wi'out wes.h.i.+ng his hands and face. That'll make him look more nat'ral.”

”Oh, we'll see about that, Bunny; and now you do this. You go down to Loo Creek and see your brother-in-law at once. But look here; you'll want some money.”

”What for?” said the man sharply.

”Oh, to pay somebody for giving you a lift, and for something to eat, because you won't be able to do it all in a day.”

”Oh, you let me alone for that.”

”I shan't,” said Waller. ”Here, take this.”

”I shan't neither,” said the man, and he made a little resistance, which ended in Waller thrusting a couple of half-crowns into his pockets.

”Say, Master Waller, you and me has had some games in these 'ere woods in our time, ar'n't us?”